After committing to support at-risk Aussies earlier this year, cafe franchise Muffin Break has raised more than $65,000 for bushfire-affected communities.

Muffin Break announced the charity endeavour in January, after witnessing a spate of natural disasters devastate local neighbourhoods across the country. The initiative saw the iconic café franchise donate $1 from every lamington product sold during the month of January, with a portion going to the Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation (WIRES).

While simple in nature, the Muffin Break charity program captured the attention of the Australian public. Over the course of the campaign, more than 21,000 lamington products were sold, with over $12,000 raised purely from in-store donation boxes.

“Muffin Break congratulates all of their customers who helped reach above and beyond their expectations for their lamington products sold in January with a portion donated towards WIRES,” the company said.

“We have been able to raise over $65,000 for the charity that is rescuing and caring for the innocent animals caught in fire-devastated areas.”

While the bushfire crisis hit home for many Australians, the project was especially poignant to the Muffin Break team.

Tim Walsh, operations consultant for Muffin Break parent company Foodco is an active member of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and has served as a volunteer with the Pearcedale Fire Brigade for over two years, most recently taking part of the strike unit fighting the East Gippsland fire.

“A huge shout out to him, the team at Pearcedale CFA and all the firies for all their work and efforts during this bushfire ordeal,” the company told Inside Franchise Business.

To help bolster the program, Foodco matched the Muffin Break donation dollar for dollar, with Aussie chocolatier Darrell Lea committing a further $10,000 donation.

But for all the community and operational support, the campaign’s most fierce advocates were the Muffin Break franchisees themselves.

Local franchisees stand up

In Bendigo, local Muffin Break franchisee Lillian held a fundraiser that saw $1 from every transaction donated, with additional collections going towards the Victorian CFA. Through her initiative, Lillian raised over $1000 for her chosen charity, but she wasn’t the only franchisee to heed the call.

Muffin Break Warnbro held a cookie decorating workshop in mid-January to raise awareness and collect donations for the WIRES.

“Eric and his team shaped all the cookies into Australian wildlife animals (Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats) for the kids to decorate. We also brought the Muffin Man costume which was a real hit for the kids,” Muffin Break said.

“There was an awesome turn out on the day with over 170 kids and the team received awesome feedback from the parents, kids and surrounding shoppers.”

With more than 300 cafes across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Muffin Break is one of the largest and recognisable franchise chains both at home and abroad. The company said its latest charity campaign showcased just how important small business is to the local community.

“The year started off with seeing devastation spread across the country, with the worst fires we’ve ever seen,” Muffin Break said.

“This is an amazing effort from all of Muffin Break’s customers to support such a charity to make a big difference for our injured wildlife.”